The sin of the rebel

by IP_SEC 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  IP_SEC

  Rebellion is one of the greatest sins to the witnesses. If you believe the bible, there are many good examples to show why rebellion is wrong.

  Satan, Korah, Adam and Eve, are used by the society to show that to be loyal to “the Organization” is the right thing to do. That it is wrong to speak against the “anointed” of Jehovah.

  The rebels who are shown in a negative light in the bible have one thing in common. They wanted a position, power or authority that did not belong to them.

  In the context of modern “apostates” witnesses often argue that we are rebelling because we want some status in the organization, or because of pride. I used to think this of apostates. Now that I see the other side of the story, I know this could not be further from the truth.

  The society wants us to believe that all rebellion is bad. That taking a stand against god's organization is wrong.

  There are numerous examples of people taking a stand against wrong in “the organization” with god's favor; Jemimah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jesus just to name a few.

  Now witnesses are quick to use these examples when it comes to rebelling against anyone else, like so called false religion. They are quick to attack the churches, to send out indictments and resolutions against them, but when the tables are turned, they call it unwarranted persecution. Why? Because deep down inside they feel that they are above any reproach, they can do no wrong. That's why they want to get rid of you if you point out their shortcomings, lies, half baked doctrine and practices, etc.

  This to me seems like the real sin of the rebel. Too much pride, too much power and authority to lose.
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  AlmostAtheist

  Jemimah

  
  

  
  That lady was the original rebel. Pancakes used to be sweetened with molasses, but then along comes Jemimah with her apostate tree sap, and sure enough, the truth and purity of sorghum fell by the way side. When will people learn to put down rebellion early!?!?

  Seriously, good and valid points. I also believed apostates were frothing at the mouth, power mad lunatics. It was quite a mind-bender to find that this teaching of the 'tower was as stupidly offbase as any other.

  Dave
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  Narkissos

  Seriously (as AA said), who's Jemimah? (the only one I found is in Job 42:14, and nothing is said about her except she was beautiful -- perhaps a rebellion per se).

  Or did you mean Jeremiah?

  It's amazing indeed how "founders," even of the most conservative orders, have to be depicted as "rebels" in foundational myths. As if the servants of order were unwittingly making room for later subversion in their writings.

  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
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  Scully

  In the Bible, when someone stood up for what was right and just in the face of organizational (nation of Israel, for example) corruption, they were called Prophets.

  Among JWs, when someone stands up for what is right and just in the face of organizational corruption, they are called Apostates.

  It all depends on where the accusing finger is pointing.
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  stillajwexelder

  In the Bible, when someone stood up for what was right and just in the face of organizational (nation of Israel, for example) corruption, they were called Prophets. Among JWs, when someone stands up for what is right and just in the face of organizational corruption, they are called Apostates.

  Excellent point - Scully
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  IP_SEC

  Jemimah

  Dad gum OpenOffice spell check!!
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  Frogleg

  The "rebel" in Biblical history is such a good aspect to consider. I have often noted and marveled the Bible's preference to the individual over the group. As probably everyone here has done, I have read the Bible many times, and, from time to time, I tried to read it from different angles; first, imagining it as a tech manual, then, sometimes, as a novel, and then other times as a proclamation from the owner of the universe. But I do not recall ever having gotten the sense of the need for or the superiority of groups. That isn't to say that there weren't crowds of people in the Bible; but, except, prehaps, for the crowds that followed JC out of curiosity (not to mention the free food and medical attention, "Blessed are the cheese makers?") large gatherings of people usually indicated "bad" things were happening, or going to happen. It seems that it is always the individual, or small group of individuals, that God favors and to whom he sends his spirit.
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  tetrapod.sapien

  satan rocks.

  apart from the fact that he most likely doesn't exist, i respect him for straightening out the first lie that god told us humanoids about knowledge and godliness.

  and then, i can't find a single bad thing that he is conclusively responsible for. everything else, including Job, was parsimoniously the work of retarded humans OR often God himself. god just blamed their idiocy on this satan fellow. but, satan? he's the good guy.

  Dear Satan,

  if you're out there, thank you for showing us a good time and being the rebel.

  TS
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  googlemagoogle

  if you're out there, thank you for showing us a good time and being the rebel.
  
  dito.
  
  as for rebels: what about russel? if he wouldn't have questioned and doubted some fundamental beliefs in his old religion(s) there would never have been a watchtower society.
  
  hmmm... from this point of view: rebels ARE bad after all!
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  Frog

  Deviance (rebellion) is socially constructed by those in power. For the WT it's clearly an abuse of power that allows them to draft the rigid norms and values of their society, and sanction those who challenge them. This is a most highly unnatural and artificial sort of society that they've constructed. In most other societies norms and values are negotiated amongst individuals and groups, which help to set boundaries of acceptable behaviour. People's ideas of deviant behaviour tends to shift over time, as deviant behaviour is essential for blazing the way for social change. The WT however, though shuts down this process and dictates them from the top, leaving very little if no room for negotiation, and no room for adaption and change to meet the needs of changing societies.